Expert: David A. NewMyer - 3/6/2005

Question
Currently i am still attending high school. after this it is my dream to become a pilot. i am now searching for a list of aviation universitie world wide, especially those that combine aviation with buisness.( so if for any reason i have to quit my job as a pilot later on i have the chance to work in a different sector, without studying once more)!
I would very much appreciate an answer.
Julia Kraetz

Answer
Hi, Julia:

Nice to hear from you.  I will try to assist!

There is a list of aviation universities and colleges available from the University Aviation Association.  They publish a document entitled THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE that costs around $25.  Order it from the UAA at their website, which is:  www.uaa.aero or by email at uaa@auburn.edu or by phone at 334-844-2434.  

The combination of aviation flight with business is accomplished at several universities through a dual major or dual degree process, normally combining Aviation Flight with Aviation Management.  I work for one of those universities, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, whose website is http://www.aviation.siu.edu    We offer an AAS in Aviation Flight, which you take in the first two years plus one semester of college and then combine it with a BS in Aviation Management for a "2 + 2" degree arrangement completing two degrees in four years.   The Aviation Flight degree provides the FAA Private Pilot Certificate and the FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Multi Engine Ratings.  The Flight Instructor (Airplane) Certificate can be earned in a post-Associate course that can be applied to your Aviation Management degree.  The Aviation Management degree currently requires students to take such classes as Fiscal Aspects of Aviation, Air Transport Labor Relations, Airline Management, Airport Management, Aviation Management Writing and Communication, Aviation Management Practices and Processes, Aviation Industry Regulation, and General Aviation Operations.  It is an applied business degree.  Besides Southern Illinois University Carbondale, such schools as Purdue University, The Ohio State University, Parks College of St. Louis University, University of North Dakota, and others also offer the Aviation Management degree.

The idea that you might do something other than fly after earning an aviation-related degree is good thinking:  There are over 2.0 million jobs in the U. S. Aviation Industry and only about 10 to 15% of them are flying jobs.  There are another 15% to 20% devoted to maintaining aircraft and the rest of the people employed in aviation (2/3 of them) do something else...so, there is a lot of work out there that an aviation  management degree would apply to.

I hope that this answer helps...if you need anything else, please ask via another question on AllExperts.com

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu/